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You can now beta test Skyrim patches

Yea, Skyrim is still a little buggy.  But you may be to able fix your problems with the game without even having to wait for the newest patch.  For PC users, Bethesda is offering you the chance to download the 1.4 patch as a beta.  And if you decide you don’t like it, its easy to switch back. Just simply  go to “the drop down, select NONE – Opt out of all beta programs. Let Steam restart, and Skyrim will automatically update itself back to the latest released version.”

To get the beta version of the patch follow these directions.

  1. Log into Steam
  2. Click on Steam in the upper menu
  3. Select Settings
  4. Under the Account tab, go to the Beta Participation section and select Change.
  5. A drop down menu will appear. Select Skyrim Beta.
  6. Select OK.
  7. Steam will now restart. After Steam restarts, Skyrim will be updated to the Beta version currently available.

And this should go without saying, but be sure to back up your save files, etc before trying the above. You have been warned.

Leap and Platform Next are Microsoft’s newest studios

Two newish development studios have recently sprung into view.  According to Microsoft’s job listings, they are looking for people to staff ‘LEAP’ and ‘Platform Next.’  Before you get all excited about ‘Platform Next,’ thinking its the Xbox 720 or whatever, be aware that its main purpose is to “pioneer experiences on Kinect.”  That said, there have been rumors that the next Xbox will have a Kinect built-in…

‘LEAP’ will also deal with Kinect, although its life goal is less defined.   Its described as an “incubation team,” by “the people that developed Kinect and profoundly changed the way people interact with technology.  We brainstorm exciting and ground-breaking experiences and quickly build working prototypes on top of developing tech. We transform our ideas into reality through shipping a first-to-market product.”

Which studio has you more excited, if at all?

Microsoft LEAP

Platform NEXT

Microsoft partners with Tequila to publish Deadlight

Ahh Microsoft, we always had a sneaky suspicion you were down with the sauce.  Now you don’t have to hide it anymore.  Microsoft has just announced that they are heading into a partnership with Tequila Works to publish Deadlight.  Tequila Works is headquartered in Madrid and its team of developers have worked on many big budget games.  Now though, they are heading into a  post-apocalyptic world set on the West Coast where players must use their puzzle wits to keep out all the horror and survive.  Check out the trailer below for more info.

Source: PlayXBLA

ACTA is worse than SOPA – Could affect ALL countries

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Wait, wait, didn’t we JUST defeat an awful bill that promised to destroy the Internet?  Apparently though, heroes and justice lovers NEVER get a break.  After all the hubbub over SOPA and PIPA in the USA and the world, it was assumed that the world was safe… for the moment.  But lurking beneath the surface of some befuddled politician’s brain came a new horror: ACTA. This legislation secretly entered negotiations between the US, Canada, Japan, the European Union, South Korea, Mexico, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand and would do much more damage than SOPA and PIPA ever could.  After all, this bill would not even have to pass through a legislative party vote.  It would  simply be an international agreement, with no input from you.  So go, GO NOW, to your phone or computer and urge your country to stop ACTA. If your in the USA, you can sign this White House petition here, right now.

Grab your passport for Vacation Quest – Australia

PopCap Games has released their latest hidden object game, Vacation Quest – Australia.  With over 2,200 hidden objects, this adventure will help you discover unique items native to Australia. Get ready to go Down Under to search for the hidden items in 28 different Australian settings.

Vacation Quest – Australia offers additional mini-games which include but not limited to Jigsaw, Match 3, and Majong. Only by completing these mini-games can you can advance further to discover all the items in Australia.

Grab your passport and make your way to the PopCap Games’ website to download the free 60 minute trial or purchase for $19.95 (US). Whether you are native to Australia or a newcomer, remember that there is always something new to discover. Look at the Vacation Quest – Australia trailer below!

Blizzard’s Advertising for it’s next MMO

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Product placement in gaming isn’t something I exactly agree with, but you just know it’ll slowly make it’s way into the industry. Especially when you consider games are becoming cheaper and their shelf life is diminishing. As such, Blizzard has advertised a “Franchise Development Producer” for it’s next MMO currently named “Project Titan”, the position is for the sole purpose of working with “major consumer brands to facilitate product placement and licensing within the world of Blizzard Entertainment’s next-gen MMO that enhances the gameplay experience.”

How do ads enhance gameplay experience? You can also find this in advertisement:

Be the key liaison between the development team and other functional teams within Blizzard Entertainment (e.g. creative development, licensing, marketing, legal) to create brand-extending merchandise for the next-gen MMO franchise, including:

Books / Novels
Action figures
Comics
Short movies
Apparel

As long as it’s subtle enough, I don’t think this sort of advertising in game will be too much of a hindrance, and if takes away the online subscription model then even better. Project Titan is blizzards next “casual MMO” and according to supposedly leaked Blizzard documents, the project’s due for release in the fourth quarter of 2013, alongside WoW’s fifth expansion pack.

Via Rockpapershotgun

Ubisoft Releasing Pre-Launch Vita Titles Including Dungeon Hunter: Alliance

Ubisoft are so keen to get their Vita launch games out on shelves that they will actually be releasing them a whole week before the handheld is even out. This means that titles such as Dungeon Hunter: Alliance will be available from February 14, so gamers going for a day one Vita purchase can be super organised with their software purchases and stare longingly at their Ubisoft games for seven days before they even become playable.

Or, if you happen to live in North America and managed to grab hold of a First Edition PS Vita bundle (releasing February 15)  just one day of that waiting will do. Ubisoft are certainly taking no chances with their launch line up, making sure that every single Vita owner can grab their titles as soon as possible.

Other titles in the pre-launch line up should include Rayman Origins and Lumines, but more details are yet to come from Ubisoft.

Prepare to Die! Barbarian – The Death Sword is Coming!

Having just released “Princess Case: A Royal Scoop”, Anuman are in need of some macho in their release calendar, and what better way to up the testosterone than by re-releasing Barbarian – The Death Sword.

The Mortal Kombat like game was originally released in 1987 on multiple platforms including the Amiga and Commodore 64. In the US it was known as Barbarian – The Ultimate Warrior, and it attracted its fair share of controversy not for the high levels of violence, but for the page three girl on the cover…

The game sees players take control of the titular warrior in a quest to save the Princess Marianna from the evil wizard Drax, and  will also come with a multiplayer mode that lets players battle across platforms. Barbarian – The Death Sword will be available on PC, Mac, iPhone and iPad in February of this year, having been pushed back from 2011 to refine the levels of difficulty and cross platform multiplayer.

Check out the trailer below for a sneak peek at the game, and-

Prepare to Die!

Nail and Axe your enemies in with these GameStop pre-order bonuses for Silent Hill: Homecoming

Today GameStop has revealed what fans can expect to receive if they happen to pre-order Silent Hill: Downpour from them and then pick it up when it is released on March 13th on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Those who pre-order will receive two special weapons that are, at the moment, exclusive to GameStop.

The two weapons players will receive will be the Double Axe which is a powerful melee weapon that allows you to get medieval on the creepy monsters you will face off against and the Nail Gun which will have more ammo than your normal gun so you will be able to kill more creatures before needing to reload.

Gravity Rush officially confirmed for PlayStation Vita launch release

While we’ve seen Gravity Rush listed on various launch line-ups from retailers, there has never actually been an official confirmation from Sony about the titles release date until now. Sony Computer Entertainment America has released a fact sheet for the title which confirms it will be available on February 22nd.

Also the fact sheet details the story which has yet to be talked about much by the information we’ve received so far. Check out the story summary below and the game itself when it releases alongside the PlayStation Vita on February 22nd.

Told in a stunning graphic art style, Gravity Rush follows Kat, young girl struggling to regain her lost memories in a world unraveling before her eyes. A chance encounter with a mysterious black cat gives her the power to control gravity. She must use this new found power to save herself and Hekseville, a futuristic metropolis, from the Gravity Storms ravaging the environment. Kat matches wits with an unknown evil only known as “Nevi,” who conspires with the government and thwarts Kat at every turn. Throughout her journey, Kat travels through vibrant environments and discovers just how powerful she can be.